Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara hated how Aaron made her feel-there was something cold and angry about him now, his eyes filled with a bitterness aimed squarely at Dylan.

She clutched the bouquet, trying to brush past and head for her car.

Aaron didn't move. "So, you really don't care? Or are you just so dazzled by Dylan that your boyfriend's death doesn't matter to you anymore?"

Clara froze, her grip tightening on the flowers. She despised how people like Aaron kept tossing Z's death in her face, like it was just some piece of gossip.

Aaron leaned closer, his voice light but edged with something sharp, like he was about to tear open an old wound.

"That explosion outside the city? It wasn't Dylan. It was Richard."

Clara couldn't help it-she actually laughed. The whole thing was just absurd.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Aaron said. "Richard's been pushing you and Dylan together from the start. Now your boyfriend's dead, and suddenly you and Dylan are closer than ever. Dylan let it happen. You think those two are heroes? One stood by, the other did the dirty work. Even if Dylan didn't kill your boyfriend outright, he's the reason he's dead. And now you're falling for Dylan, right into his trap. If I were your boyfriend, I'd be clawing my way out of the grave just to yell at you."

Clara's face went cold, but Aaron wouldn't let up.

"Oh, and by the way-I met your boyfriend once. He told me he always felt not good enough for you, but he liked you so much he never wanted you to see his face. Careful, desperate, totally in love. Who would've guessed he'd die somewhere no one could ever find him? It's sad, really."

to know she'd never seen Z's face-not unless

She stayed silent.

a while, digging into everything. This was the biggest secret he'd found, and honestly, the

guy whose face she'd never even

abroad, tried to pick

her would only fall for someone who

now, even if he was spinning stories,

coughing, hard, his body shaking,

brother, and now he's making sure die slow. But I'm not going anywhere until IŒee him fall. Look into it yourself, Clara. You'll figure it

Diter

sooner or later."

getting into her car, her

into the mansion's bright foyer, and realized Dylan was nowhere

a maid. "Where is

The family called and asked him to pick up

but

into the garden

Dylan sitting alone